The Bigger Boat acquires Scriba PR as part of expansion strategy

A spokesman said: “While the brands will continue to exist as individual entities in their own right, the deal means that the business now employs a total of 40 marketing professionals, looking after more than 70 retained clients, with a combined turnover of more than £2m.”

The founder and former managing director Katie Mallinson will remain with Scriba in the position of director of communications while The Bigger Boat’s founders Andy McCaul, Doug Main, and Lee Boothroyd, will become owner directors of the company, supported by a leadership team which spans both firms.

Scriba, which marked its 10th anniversary this month, currently stands at number 22 in Prolific North’s Top 50 PR Agencies, and secured 17th position in the round-up of fastest growing PR agencies in the North, last year.

The Bigger Boat is an award-winning, 25-strong digital marketing, brand and website specialist, which is seeking to expand the SEO (search engine optimisation) and content marketing arms of its business.

Commenting on the announcement, Andy McCaul, managing director of The Bigger Boat, said: “We pride ourselves on our ability to understand our clients’ organisations inside out, so we become an extension of their own teams. And our focus is on driving tangible results. We generate leads, increase sales and, ultimately, fuel growth to enhance their bottom lines.

“You could apply almost the exact same description to Scriba, an agency whose entire existence focuses on crafting words that make an impact, which is why the move makes perfect sense. Combining our in-house marketing expertise with Scriba’s wealth of experience and talent in the communications sphere, creates a suite of complementary services and the opportunity to deliver even more value for each of our expanding rosters of customers.”

Ms Mallinson added: “Our story began on the toss of a coin, a leap of faith to prove that PR could be done differently. I believed I’d found a gap in the market helping technical firms with complex stories, but never could I have imagined it would grow to have such a strong reputation and team. Running a business is incredibly fulfilling and a huge privilege.

"It’s time, now, for someone else to take the reins. I have so many communications ideas I haven’t explored yet and that’s what excites me now; the opportunity to see what else I can do, knowing I’ve built an incredible business and it’s in safe hands.”

Scriba, which has 15 staff, will maintain its headquarters in the loft of Heritage Mills in Lindley, Huddersfield. All jobs will be retained and the company is seeking an additional account manager. The Bigger Boat’s 25-strong team will continue to be based in Wheatley Mills in Mirfield.